BUILDING YOUR DREAM HOME

Who Should Consider having a 'Custom Home' designed and built?
The 'Custom Home' process is ideal for:

• Individuals that can't find a house design that meets all of the specific needs associated with their unique lifestyle.
• People that own or are interested in a home site that requires special design considerations due to topography, trees, views, etc.
• Buyers or owners that desire assistance from a professional Architect who listens and offers to help clients determine their own special home needs. The end result is the design and construction of a 'one of a kind' home which artistically meets those needs.

How does the process work?
The process starts by setting up an appointment with Ron Higgins, L & H's in-house licensed Architect. At the initial meeting, Mr. Higgins will review the four basic steps which are:

• The Preliminary Plan Agreement
• The Construction Contract or Homes Sales Contract
• The Permit Phase
• The Construction Phase

During the 'Preliminary Plan Agreement' phase, L & H will discuss the specifics of your housing needs, site requirements, budget, etc. A series of design meetings will take place with the end result providing in:

• Preliminary Floor Plans, Site Plan, and Front Exterior Elevation
• A Description of Materials and Schedule of Allowances
• A Construction Contract amount

In essence, at the culmination of the 'Preliminary Plan Agreement' phase, you will know how much it will cost to build your custom home with the materials and allowances discussed.

What are the costs involved?
The cost for the 'Preliminary Plan Agreement' phase is based on the size of your proposed home. The typical fee is $1.00 per square foot but may be higher if you require modifications which result in additional design time.

Upon completion of the Preliminary Plan phase, each owner has two options.

• Continue forward with L & H: Obviously it is our desire for each client to continue working with L & H. This is accomplished by signing a Construction Contract (if you own your own lot) or a Home Sales Contract (if you are purchasing a home within an L & H community).
  Note: The Preliminary Plan Agreement fee is credited toward the contract amount for clients that continue working with L & H. In essence, the design fee is included in the cost of the home and does not cost the client anything! We consider it to be just part of the service provided by L & H. ¨
• Continue forward on your own: For clients that have their own builder, all work completed during the Preliminary Plan phase is given to the client for their future use.

How long before we can move in?
That is a difficult question to answer due to the variables involved. Typically, the process goes as follows:

• The Preliminary Plan Phase: 30-60 days
• This varies depending on L & H's work load, the number of design sketches required, availability of clients to attend design review meetings, etc.
• The Construction Contract or Homes Sales Contract: 1 -2 weeks
• The Permit Phase: 75 days
• It typically takes L & H 15 days to complete the 'Construction Drawings'. The plans are then sent to various consultants to provide structural engineering calculations, Title 24 analysis, truss drawings, etc. This process usually takes 30 days. Next, we submit the entire packet to the Building Department for plan check which also takes approximately 30 days, depending on the work load.
• The Construction Phase: 4 - 6 months The construction of your home depends on the size and complexity of the residence, our current construction schedule, and the weather. L & H has developed a reputation for delivering quality homes on time.
  

As you can see, the entire process can take 8 to 10 months.

What makes L & H Construction, Inc. unique in the 'Custom Home Building' market?

     The answer is simple. With L & H Construction, Inc., clients have access to both a licensed architect and licensed contractor under one roof.

     When a client has a question regarding the cost of implementing a design option or material selection change, the answer is immediately available. This convenience can save significant time and money over the traditional custom home process in which plans are completed by a home designer prior to a contractor providing a cost estimate to construct the residence. If the project comes in over budget, it is back to the drawing boards which results in a loss of time and money. Working with the design & build team of L & H, these frustrations can be avoided.

     At L & H, the design phase is coordinated by Ron Higgins, a talented architect with a graduate degree in architecture from Harvard University. Mr. Higgins also assists clients with color selections throughout the home. Helping with the coordination of carpet, tile, paint colors, and other materials is all part of the personal service included with an L & H custom home.

     Jim Luse is the guiding force during the construction process. Mr. Luse brings over 25 years of building experience to the team and works hard with each client to turn their dreams into reality.

     Years of working together allows your architect designed dream home to be built for the original price quoted, not tens of thousands of dollars more. L & H's reputation speaks for itself.

Satisfied Customers

"L & H is head and shoulders above the rest, so it was without hesitation that we referred John and Carol when they decided to build. We know they will be delighted with their new home too."
-Bill and Nancy Morris

"Just a note to let you know that we appreciate the good job you did in building our home and particularly the extra attention you gave us in fine tuning several little things after the job was completed. Completing a home to the satisfaction of the owner is never an easy process, but both you and your staff went out of your way to get a quality job done and Rosemary and I very much appreciate your extra attention."
-Brent Albano

"We love our house and when we have blocked out the trauma of moving all our junk, we might just do this one more time. If we ever do, we'd love to work with you again."
-Doug and Gwen Warrener

"This is the most beautiful present for Christmas we have ever received, to be in a new home, and you have helped us through your work and commitment to quality."
-The Nasui Family

"We're delighted with our lovely new home! It's perfect in every way. Thank you for your excellent accomplishment!! It has been an association we have truly enjoyed."
-Jim and Rose Jolly

"Thanks again for the job done on our home. It was a real pleasure working with such a great group of people"
-Warren and Jan Vevang

"I'm afraid I tend to abuse the words 'thanks' and 'appreciate', but I know of no other way to express my gratitude. My neighbors and I are truly fortunate to have had our homes built by a firm like L & H, whose concern for the owners' interests lingers long after the development is history."
-Robert Thomas

"As you probably know, we just celebrated our 10th anniversary in the house. It has been a great ten years and we are proud to say that you did a wonderful job in building it. Thanks again for all your kindness."
-Renee & Stosh Groner